| November 22, 2009 |
| 10:00 am | to | 12:00 pm |
W: Cafe Inquiry – Psychological Explanations for Religious Claims
November 22, 2009, 10:00am–12:00pm
Schuler Books and Music, 3165 Alpine Ave. NW #C, Grand Rapids, MI
This week’s discussion topic: Religion’s Positive and Negative Hallucinations as Overlearned (Unconscious) Habits
Description
Cafe Inquiry is a casual event starting with a short 10-15 minute introduction of the day’s topic followed by open discussion. At 11:15 we’ll break for coffee/brunch and a chance to socialize.
This week’s topic will be Psychological Explanations for What Religious Believers See as ‘Real’ and ‘Unreal’ presented by Dr. Robert Collins.
The bible is full of unbelievable events (positive hallucinations) and believers often cannot accept realities that differ from their preferred view (negative hallucinations). Many of their positions are “unconscious”, “habits” or “overlearned” reflexes which do not allow for reflection or examination. Learn how religious phenomena, hypnosis and classical conditioning experiments can create automatic responses or thoughts or emotions.
Members are welcome to propose and schedule a topic which would be of interest toward establishing a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values. Please contact Bob if you have a topic that you would like to discuss at an upcoming Café Inquiry.
Cost: Free. Refreshments can be purchased from Cafe.
Contact: Bob Collins, bobpsy@yahoo.com, (616) 638-1957
